Experience a burst of smoky goodness with our delicious smoked tomatoes recipe. Add depth and flavor to your cooking repertoire.
Course
Salad
Prep Time15minutes
Cook Time2hours
Servings4
Ingredients
2lbsabout 1 kg fresh plum tomatoes
2tablespoonsolive oil
1onionfinely chopped
4clovesgarlicminced
1teaspoonsaltor to taste
1/2teaspoonblack pepper
1/4teaspoonsugar
2cupswood chipsapple, cherry, or peach
1/4cupfresh basil leaveschopped
1/4cupfresh parsleychopped
1/4teaspoonred pepper flakesoptional, for some heat
Instructions
Smoking the Tomatoes
Prepare Your Smoker: Start by setting up your smoker and preheating it to about 225°F (107°C). While it's warming up, soak your wood chips in water for about 30 minutes.
Prep the Tomatoes: Wash and dry your plum tomatoes. Slice them in half horizontally, exposing their juicy insides. Place the tomato halves cut side up on a baking sheet.
Season the Tomatoes: Sprinkle your tomato halves with kosher salt, black pepper, and a pinch of sugar. Get those flavors dancing!
Get Smokin': When the smoker is ready, place the soaked wood chips on the hot coals or in the wood chip box. Put the baking sheet with tomatoes on the smoker rack. Close the smoker, and let those tomatoes soak up that sweet smoky flavor for 2-3 hours. Keep an eye on the temperature to maintain consistency.
Creating the Smoked Tomato Sauce
Cool and Collect: After the tomatoes have soaked up the smokiness, remove them from the smoker and let them cool for a bit.
Sauté the Aromatics: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add chopped onions and minced garlic. Sauté until they're soft and aromatic, about 5-7 minutes.
Blend the Tomatoes: Using an immersion blender or a regular blender, puree the smoked tomatoes until you achieve a smooth consistency. Careful not to make it too thin; we want some texture.
Cook the Sauce: Add the smoked tomato puree to the saucepan with sautéed onions and garlic. Stir everything together. If you want to add some heat, throw in those red pepper flakes. Simmer the sauce over low heat for about 15-20 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together. Stir occasionally.
Add Fresh Herbs: Stir in the fresh basil and parsley. These herbs will add a burst of freshness and color to your sauce. Simmer for an additional 5 minutes, and then remove from heat.
Taste and Adjust: Taste your sauce and adjust the seasoning if needed. You can add more salt, pepper, or sugar to your liking.